SUM Community Fast: Monday 9 January - Friday 13 January.

Hello SUMites, and a happy new year to you all!

Wow, in just a week's time we are going to be embarking on our annual SUM community fast. Are you game for it?! I sure am!

I thought today I'd share a little taster of what fasting has done for our community. And then, in my next post I'll include the more practical info on what kinds of fasts we can do, and how to prepare.

Why We Fast 

We have fasted together in January for a long time now. We first began years ago because God asked us to, we dipped our toes in, and since then -- wow -- what an adventure it's been! For some of us it's turned into the highlight of our spiritual year, even though it is hard. Why do we look forward to it? Because there is nothing in this life better than getting to know God better, and that's what fasting does.

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you (Matthew 6:33, NKJV)

In past fasts, we have seen some immediate, mind-blowing things happen. For example, during the fasting week, we've seen some of our SUMites hear God's voice particularly clearly and share their experiences in the comments. These things have been such a blessing to the rest of us. What's more we've seen some of our SUMites experience new and profound things with God during this fast week - Dreams, visions, new gifts even!

Other times, as a result of the fast God has given us guidance just like he did to Ezra and the Jews when they fasted in a similar way --

Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him the right way for us and our little ones and all our possessions (Ezra 8:21, NKJV) 

So we fasted and entreated our God for this, and He answered our prayer (v. 23)

But there's also a longer-term spiritual effect of fasting. Things don't always happen during fasting week, but afterwards. Many of us who've fasted in past years walk in significantly more peace and strength than we did before, and I'm sure the years of fasting have done that to us. It's as if Satan can't touch you so easily when you fast. 

After all Jesus said that fasting and prayer can, in some circumstances, be the only way to defeat certain spirits. For example: 

When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it "Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!" Then the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, and came out of him. And he became as one dead so that many said, "He is dead." But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, "Why could we not cast it out?" So He said to them, "This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting." (Mark 9:25-29, NKJV)

So that is fasting. It is power to us and a fabulous, but gentle, spiritual weapon to wield as we seek to strengthen ourselves as spiritual warriors in our homes.

Well, much love to you all, SUMites, I hope I get to fast with as many of you as possible, and I'll tell you more on Wednesday.

Are you going to take part in the fast? Hop onto the comments and let us know if you are!

Ann